Man filmed beating 16-year-old boy with autism at party

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OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — A Florida man has been charged after a disturbing video surfaced on Facebook that showed the man beating a 16-year-old boy with autism at a house party on Aug. 8, according to WPTV.

Editor’s note: The video is disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.

According to WPTV, the victim reportedly drank alcohol at the party and was then told to go outside and fight someone. When he refused, Andrew Wheeler, 18, attacked the boy.

In the video, Wheeler stands over the victim, punching him repeatedly while several others taunt the victim.

Video of the assault was posted to Facebook and the suspect was tagged in the post, police said. The 18-year-old was arrested on Sunday.

The victim suffered a concussion, several bruises and other injuries, according to WPTV. The victim told police he was choked until he blacked out.

Wheeler told WPTV he was called to the house to deal with a “drunk guy.” Wheeler claims the boy pushed and punched another person at the party and when he stepped in, the 16-year-old “tried to strike” him.

The suspect admitted to police he “lost control of his temper.”

Wheeler was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm and booked on $20,000 bond.